Sage

Etymology

The Latin name salvia officinalis is derived either from the Latin salvus, which means “healthy”, or salvare, meaning “to heal”. The name officinalis is derived from officina, which stands for the traditional storeroom in an apothecary where the herb was kept. It also refers to the fact that the herb is officially used as a medicinal plant.

Salvia officinalis

Characteristics

Plant family

Lamiaceae (labiate)

Flowering season

July to September

Harvest

Leaves: during warm weather in May, June or July

Signature properties

Vivid gray-green leaf veins

Vegetation

Sunny mountain slopes, preferably in chalky soil

History

Body-snatchers

During a major outbreak of plague in 1630, faith in the healing effects of sage was so strong that thieves in Toulouse rubbed a sage/herb/vinegar mix into their skin to protect themselves against infection before going out into the night to rob cadavers. When caught, they were told that their lives would be spared if they revealed the secret of how they inoculated themselves.